Raving Toy Maniac

Toys"R"Us® To Hire 45,000 Employees Nationwide In Advance Of 2013 Holiday Shopping Season

Holiday Workers to Staff Company's Stores and Distribution Centers; Fulfill Customers' Needs In-Store and Online throughout the Retailer's Busiest Time of Year

WAYNE, N.J., Sept. 24, 2013 -- Toys"R"Us® today announced plans to hire 45,000 employees to staff its stores and distribution centers nationwide as the company ramps up to meet the needs of gift-givers across all of its shopping channels this holiday season. This seasonal number is on par with hiring plans from last year. With traffic in Toys"R"Us stores and on its e-commerce site peaking in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the company's expanded holiday workforce plays a key role in delivering exceptional customer service and providing memorable shopping experiences.

September 25, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

Generations 2014 Series 01 - Set of 4

1x TRA GENERATIONS DLX DREADWING
1x TRA GENERATIONS DLX GOLDFIRE
1x TRA GENERATIONS DLX SKIDS
1x TRA GENERATIONS DLX WASPINATOR

Preorders Open at $53.99 for the set. Singles, Cases and more new Hasbro items listing soon
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=HAS23248&mode=re...

TRANSFORMERS GENERATIONS VOYAGER - WAVE 05 - RHINOX & DOUBLEDEALER WAVE
The case includes 1x Sandstorm, 1x Doubledealer, 2x, Rhinox at $89.99. The set of Rhinox and Doubledealer is list at $49.99, and single Rhinox are available at $29.99
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=generations%20voyager

FORTRESS MAXIMUS - ON SALE AT $229.99 - SALE ENDS 10/2
For a limited time - snag the amazing Encore #23 Fortress Maximus for just $229.99!

September 22, 2013 - Listed below are the toy (and child-related) recalls from this week; these links go to the official announcements on the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site.

- The Land of Nod Recalls Bed-Frames Due to Entrapment Hazard

- The Children's Place Recalls Footed Pajamas Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

September 20, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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THE WALKING DEAD DARYL & CHOPPER SET
This set includes a brand new 3D-scanned sculpt of Norman Reedus as Daryl along with his motorcycle. It also comes with his crossbow and other accessories, and is priced at $32.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=MCF14027&mode=re...

E.T. 12" FOAM REPLICA
This foam rubber version of the loveable alien will stand a foot tall and be loaded with detail. He is priced at $25.99, saving you $4 off of the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC12381&mode=re...

J.SCOTT CAMPBELL SPIDER-MAN STATUE
This trio-completing statue in the J. Scott Campbell collection stands 19" tall and shows the hero on a wall with web-shooters ready to go. It is listed at $299.99.

Toys"R"Us® Announces The 2013 #TRUHotToyList

The Toy Authority Unveils the Definitive List of Top Holiday Playthings to Get Kids Wish List-Ready, Featuring Uber Uggly Pups, a Giggly Monkey, Unstoppable Swappables, a Cra-Z Obsession and the Ultimate Drifting Machine, Among Others

WAYNE, N.J., Sept. 18, 2013 -- To help provide parents and gift-givers insight into the toys sure to appear on children's wish lists as the holiday shopping season gets underway, Toys"R"Us® has revealed the 2013 Holiday Hot Toy List. This can't-miss list of the season's coveted playthings is viewable online at http://Toysrus.com/HotToys, so shoppers can get a glimpse of the gifts they'll want to add to their holiday checklists. The company began developing the 2013 Holiday Hot Toy List early in the year, as its buying team scoured the globe to identify items certain to make kids' wishes come true as they're unwrapped on Christmas morning.

Find the Top Toy Brands on Kids' Wish Lists This Holiday at Kohl's

Shoppers can play a lot and save a lot with Kohl's top 25 dream toys and extensive in-store and online toy shop

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. -- September 18, 2013 -- Kohl's Department Stores today announced its top 25 toys for the holiday season from its extensive in-store and online collection. Kohl's and Kohls.com will offer the toys kids dream of at exceptional values from favorite national brands, including Barbie(R) , Fisher-Price(R) , LeapFrog(R) and more. From tablets and dolls to games and activity stations, Kohl's selection of toys for kids of every age makes gift giving easy for shoppers this holiday.

"It's no secret toys top kids' wish lists year after year and Kohl's will have all the toys that will make kids' dreams come true this holiday season," said Michelle Gass, Kohl's chief customer officer. "Customers can shop with confidence knowing we have significantly expanded our online toy assortment and have a deep selection of trusted national toy brands, such as Mattel, Playskool and VTech, available at prices everyone can afford."

Gift It Forward: Kmart Unveils Fab 15 Holiday Toy List, Encourages Toy Donations To Benefit Kids In Need Via Shop Your Way Charity Gift Registry

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 18, 2013 -- Kmart has unveiled the annual Fab 15 holiday toy list, and is encouraging shoppers to 'gift it forward' to help children in need on the Shop Your Way Charity Gift Registry. Kmart and Shop Your Way have partnered with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry® campaign to allow members and gift-givers the opportunity to donate Fab 15 toys to children in need at www.ShopYourWay.com/charityregistry.

"This year, Kmart has committed to making the season brighter for every child," said Hugo Malan, SVP and president, fitness, sporting goods and toys at Sears Holdings. "We always strive to select toys for our Fab 15 list that will top the wish lists of kids everywhere and from the many ways to shop for the hottest toys at Kmart including online, in-store and via mobile phone – as well as donate to a good cause – parents will be thrilled that this year's list is making shopping easy."

The Kmart Fab 15 ultimate list of hot holiday toys includes:

September 2013 - LEGO has released a new stop-motion animation video just in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day:

September 18, 2013 - (Sponsor Announcement) - Online retailer BigBadToyStore.com has several items of interest to collectors:

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NEW PRE-ORDERS
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NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET FREDDY KRUEGER (VIDEO GAME APPEARANCE)
With many movie figures out the master of nightmares Freddy Krueger now has his first video game figure. This figure is priced at $19.99 which is $5 off the MSRP.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=NEC12336&mode=re...

MAD ENGINE - NEW COSTUME FLEECE HOODIES, T-SHIRTS
A bunch of new items from Mad Engine are up for pre-order. They come from licenses like Star Wars, GI Joe, Marvel and Transformers, and are usually available in sizes from Medium to XXL. The Fleece costume hoodies are priced at $57.99 each, with the t-shirts at $15.99 each.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=Mad%20Engine

GAME OF THRONES CARVED MAP MARKER SET WITH MAP OF WESTEROS

September 18, 2013 - The boy has been collecting the Power Rangers toys from McDonald's and was able to get most of them before the Colorado flooding hit our area. Hopefully he can finish the MegaZord before the promotion ends.

I was able to snag a batch of the Sonic Justice League toys off eBay. It's not a complete set, but it had the pieces I wanted, so I was happy.

Let's see what's out there in restaurants this month! (more after the jump)

A quick check of the web sites for the more popular fast food restaurants reveals the following:

- McDonald's has Justice and Power Rangers MegaForce toys in their Happy Meals, with Batman and The Wizard of Oz shown as the next promotions.

- Sonic has Scooby-Doo toys in their Wacky Pack meals.